Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Cork)

Overview

Wynns Black Label Cabernet is a true icon of Australian wine. First produced in 1954, it has a reputation for ageing gracefully and displaying excellent varietal and regional characteristics. The wine is produced from only the top quality 20 to 25 per cent of Cabernet Sauvignon fruit grown in our terra rossa vineyards.

A wine of style and stature - and a perennial favourite in auction circles - ‘Black Label’ is one of Australia’s most collectable wines and Australia’s benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon. It consistently delivers potential for medium to long-term cellaring.

Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage	2018
Country	Australia
Region	Coonawarra
Volume	750 mL
Closure	Cork
Alc/Vol	13.7%
Peak Drinking	Now - 2040
Winemaker	Sue Hodder

Taste Description

Nose

Nose of Dark cherry and lavender imbued with underlying dried mint.

Flavours and Palate

The 2018 Black Label Cabernet is a combination of dark fruit and finesse. Initially the palate is soft and round, but a fine tannin framework provides structure and length on the palate. A beautifully balanced, medium- weight Cabernet with all the hallmarks of this 20heritage label. Pristine varietal cabernet fruit balanced for guaranteed cellaring.

Download Tasting Notes (PDF 263 KB)

Awards and Accolades

97 points

Ray Jordan

96 Points

Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion

96 Points

Andrew Caillard MW

95 Points

Jeremy Oliver

94 Points

David Sly, Decanter

93+ Points

Mike Bennie

93 Points

Angus Hughson

93 Points

Tyson Stelzer

“One sip, you're in. Another seductive Black Label - its 63rd vintage - and it's a wow. Excellent vintage conditions have no doubt helped, but this Australian icon doesn't need a lot of assistance outside its trio of long-time 'curators': Sue Hodder, Allen Jenkins and Sarah Pidgeon. Masses of blackberry fruits, a touch of black olive savouriness, stewed rhubarb, violets. Casts a wide net across the palate with sustained black fruits and spice, but also notes of coffee grounds, bay leaf and vanilla. Oak enhances, yet keeps itself in the background.” Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion

“Full of pleasure, quite lush despite the web and frame of fine, graphite-feeling tannins. Choc-cherry sniffs and tastes, cassis, violets for sure, some white pepper, choc-mint notes through the wine. Lively and fresh-feeling even with added depth. Sumptuous cabernet, in a sense. It’s great drinking, a little easier on the palate than stricter, leaner releases, but still shows very the pedigree of vines and winemaking. Satisfaction and ease and charm.” Mike Bennie

"Medium deep crimson. Classical cassis cedar aromas with roasted hazelnut, herb-garden, espresso coffee notes. Supple, elegant and minerally with gentle pure blackcurrant fruits, underlying cedar, dried herbs, vanilla roasted chestnut oak, superb mid-palate inkiness and vigorous fine grainy tannins. In some ways understated and sotto voce but lovely clarity and composure. A very age-worthy style yet with immediate appeal 13.7% alc – Now – 2032" Andrew Caillard MW

Viticulture

Vintage Conditions

2018 is an excellent Coonawarra Cabernet vintage. Very Intense purple colours are coupled with varietal fruit and ripe tannins. Winter and Spring rainfall was excellent at 20% above long term averages, soil moisture was replenished, and limestone aquifers recharged arm Summer temperatures advanced veraison by two weeks, to the end of January. A strong coastal upwelling cooled March, and extended the ripening period such that Cabernet was harvested in line with long term harvest dates (6th April) predominantly from the last week of March through the first two weeks of April. The yields were moderate, and the slow cool ripening was very even.